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Allahabad HC Puts Interim Stay On Broadcast Of Al Jazeera's Documentary 'India: Who Lit The Fuse' In India In View Of Probable 'Evil Consequences' https://www.livelaw.in/high-court/allahabad-high-court/allahabad-hc-interim-stay-broadcast-al-jazeera-documentary-india-who-lit-the-fuse-evil-consequences-article-19-230657

Allahabad HC restrains Al Jazeera from telecasting documentary on Hindutva in India https://scroll.in/latest/1050963/allahabad-hc-restrains-al-jazeera-from-telecasting-documentary-on-communal-violence-in-india  

A social activist named Sudhir Kumar filed a public interest litigation against the telecasting of the film in India. He claimed that the documentary has the potential to create disharmony among citizens and threaten the country’s integrity.

Kumar contended that the film is “likely to create hatred amongst different religious denominations and thereby destroy the secular fabric of the Indian State”. He claimed that he learnt from print and social media reports that the film portrays India’s Muslim community to be living in fear and presents a “disruptive narrative” that could create a sense of public hatred.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/16/india-court-bars-airing-of-al-jazeera-documentary The Al Jazeera documentary features an interview with a defector from the RSS, who reveals chilling details of his training sessions in RSS camps, allegedly overseen by members of the Indian Army.

The film also depicts the harassment and targeting of nearly 700,000 Muslims in the northeastern state of Assam, governed by the BJP. Since the passage of a citizenship law in 2019, the Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam fear losing their nationality and being deported to neighbouring Bangladesh.

The Al Jazeera investigation also reveals widespread campaigns across multiple Indian states to demolish properties belonging to Muslims. The campaigns include tearing down homes and businesses, which critics say is an attempt to economically and socially disenfranchise India’s Muslim minority.

A BJP spokesman dismissed the allegations made in the documentary, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is committed to rule of law in the Hindu-majority country and individuals accused of targeting Muslims would face severe consequences.

He also defended the RSS, calling it non-discriminatory and working for the welfare of Indians from all the backgrounds, including Muslims, Christians, tribal people and historically disadvantaged groups such as the Dalits.

The court was hearing a petition that claimed that the film, titled 'India... Who lit the Fuse' is “likely to create hatred amongst different religious denominations and thereby destroy the secular fabric of the Indian state". https://thewire.in/law/allahabad-high-court-al-jazeera-documentary-muslims-evil-consequences 

A petition filed by one Sudhir Kumar, who claims to be “a public-spirited person and a social activist”, has cited detailed reasons for asking for the documentary to be barred by the court from being aired by Al Jazeera. Among them are principally, that it is “likely to create hatred amongst different religious denominations and thereby destroy the secular fabric of the Indian State. The Film also has the potential to create social unrest and disturb public order, decency and morality.”

15/06/2023

7 Imprisoned Journalists in India as of December 1, 2022 as per @CPJAsia

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